penitent

CEFRC1

/ˈpɛnɪtənt/

adjective · noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Feeling sorry for something wrong that you have done.

  2. 02

    noun

    A person who feels regret for wrongdoing.

Examples

  • She had a humble and penitent expression on her face.

  • The penitent sinner prayed quietly in the church.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
4
Synonyms
5

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. Doing penance.

  2. One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of their transgressions.

  3. Feeling pain or sorrow on account of one's sins or offenses; feeling sincere guilt.

More examples

In context

  • The penitent thief confessed his crimes to the priest.

  • Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite.

  • If thou be penitent and grieved, or desirous to be so, these heinous sins shall not be laid to thy charge.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

After confessing his sins to the priest, the man appeared truly blank and asked for forgiveness.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin paenitēns, poenitēns (“penitent”), present participle of paeniteō, poeniteō (“to cause to repent; to regret, repent”). Doublet of penitente.